NR 224 Fundamentals of Nursing: Weeks 3-5
Exam Review – 200 Real Past Questions
with Rationales (2026 Edition)
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & SAFETY (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
• A. Use hot water to remove oils from the skin
• B. Keep hands lower than elbows during rinsing
• C. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
• D. Rub hands together for at least 10 seconds
☑ correct answers: C. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
Rationale: Using a paper towel to turn off the faucet prevents recontamination of
clean hands. Hot water can dry and crack skin. Hands should be kept higher than
elbows to allow water to flow away from clean areas. Friction should be applied
for at least 15-20 seconds, not 10 seconds.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
• A. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
• B. Place the client in a negative pressure room
, • C. Wear gloves and a gown when providing care
• D. Keep the client's door closed at all times
☑ correct answers: C. Wear gloves and a gown when providing care
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all interactions. N95
respirators are for airborne precautions. Negative pressure rooms are for
airborne precautions (TB, measles). Door closing is for airborne/droplet
precautions, not routine for contact.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique
should the nurse use?
• A. Clean technique
• B. Sterile technique
• C. Medical asepsis
• D. Hand hygiene only
☑ correct answers: B. Sterile technique
Rationale: Indwelling urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique
(surgical asepsis) to prevent introducing bacteria into the bladder and causing a
catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
4. A client with tuberculosis is being transported to radiology. Which mask
should the nurse wear?
, • A. Surgical mask
• B. N95 respirator mask
• C. No mask required
• D. Cloth mask
☑ correct answers: B. N95 respirator mask
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions. The N95 respirator mask
filters 95% of airborne particles and is required when caring for or transporting
clients with airborne diseases.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a
break in sterile technique?
• A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
• B. Holding sterile objects above waist level
• C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain supplies
• D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile bowl
☑ correct answers: C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain supplies
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates the field. The nurse should
walk around or ask a helper to avoid crossing over the sterile area.
, 6. A nurse is educating a client about preventing the spread of infection. Which
statement indicates understanding?
• A. "I should cover my mouth with my hand when coughing."
• B. "I can stop antibiotics when I feel better."
• C. "I should wash my hands after using the bathroom."
• D. "It's okay to share towels as long as they are dry."
☑ correct answers: C. "I should wash my hands after using the
bathroom."
Rationale: Hand hygiene after toileting is essential for infection prevention.
Coughing should be covered with the elbow or tissue. Antibiotics must be
completed fully. Towels should not be shared regardless of dryness.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following is correct?
• A. The outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is considered contaminated
• B. The entire sterile field is considered sterile
• C. The sterile field must be prepared 1 hour before use
• D. Sterile items can touch any part of the field
☑ correct answers: A. The outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is
considered contaminated
Exam Review – 200 Real Past Questions
with Rationales (2026 Edition)
SECTION 1: INFECTION CONTROL & SAFETY (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to perform hand hygiene. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
• A. Use hot water to remove oils from the skin
• B. Keep hands lower than elbows during rinsing
• C. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
• D. Rub hands together for at least 10 seconds
☑ correct answers: C. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet
Rationale: Using a paper towel to turn off the faucet prevents recontamination of
clean hands. Hot water can dry and crack skin. Hands should be kept higher than
elbows to allow water to flow away from clean areas. Friction should be applied
for at least 15-20 seconds, not 10 seconds.
2. A nurse is caring for a client on contact precautions. Which of the following
actions is appropriate?
• A. Wear an N95 respirator when entering the room
• B. Place the client in a negative pressure room
, • C. Wear gloves and a gown when providing care
• D. Keep the client's door closed at all times
☑ correct answers: C. Wear gloves and a gown when providing care
Rationale: Contact precautions require gloves and gown for all interactions. N95
respirators are for airborne precautions. Negative pressure rooms are for
airborne precautions (TB, measles). Door closing is for airborne/droplet
precautions, not routine for contact.
3. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter. Which technique
should the nurse use?
• A. Clean technique
• B. Sterile technique
• C. Medical asepsis
• D. Hand hygiene only
☑ correct answers: B. Sterile technique
Rationale: Indwelling urinary catheter insertion requires sterile technique
(surgical asepsis) to prevent introducing bacteria into the bladder and causing a
catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
4. A client with tuberculosis is being transported to radiology. Which mask
should the nurse wear?
, • A. Surgical mask
• B. N95 respirator mask
• C. No mask required
• D. Cloth mask
☑ correct answers: B. N95 respirator mask
Rationale: Tuberculosis requires airborne precautions. The N95 respirator mask
filters 95% of airborne particles and is required when caring for or transporting
clients with airborne diseases.
5. A nurse is performing a sterile dressing change. Which action indicates a
break in sterile technique?
• A. Opening the sterile package away from the body
• B. Holding sterile objects above waist level
• C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain supplies
• D. Pouring sterile solution into a sterile bowl
☑ correct answers: C. Reaching across the sterile field to obtain supplies
Rationale: Reaching across a sterile field contaminates the field. The nurse should
walk around or ask a helper to avoid crossing over the sterile area.
, 6. A nurse is educating a client about preventing the spread of infection. Which
statement indicates understanding?
• A. "I should cover my mouth with my hand when coughing."
• B. "I can stop antibiotics when I feel better."
• C. "I should wash my hands after using the bathroom."
• D. "It's okay to share towels as long as they are dry."
☑ correct answers: C. "I should wash my hands after using the
bathroom."
Rationale: Hand hygiene after toileting is essential for infection prevention.
Coughing should be covered with the elbow or tissue. Antibiotics must be
completed fully. Towels should not be shared regardless of dryness.
7. A nurse is preparing a sterile field. Which of the following is correct?
• A. The outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is considered contaminated
• B. The entire sterile field is considered sterile
• C. The sterile field must be prepared 1 hour before use
• D. Sterile items can touch any part of the field
☑ correct answers: A. The outer 1-inch border of the sterile field is
considered contaminated
